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Truck topper

a topper and truck technology, applied in the field of pick-up trucks, can solve the problems of limited space between the topper and the truck bed, users are unable to place large items, such as drywall or large pieces of machinery, on the truck bed,

Inactive Publication Date: 2006-10-12
ASTORIA INDS OF IOWA
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a truck topper that can be placed on a pickup truck bed. It has a front and rear end, a top, and sides. The topper has an opening in at least one of its sides. The topper also has a shelving assembly located inside the opening in the side. This shelving assembly is attached to the top and side of the topper and is accessible from the outside of the topper through the opening in the side. The technical effect of this invention is that it provides a convenient and easy way to access the shelving assembly of a truck topper from the outside of the topper."

Problems solved by technology

One disadvantage of known truck toppers is that items stored inside the topper often are not accessible from the exterior of the truck.
Because many of the storage bins are positioned around the perimeter of the truck bed, space between the topper and the truck bed is limited.
As such, users are unable to place large items, such as sheets of drywall or large pieces of machinery, on the bed of the truck.
Because the storage drawers of the LaValle device are positioned at the rear of the topper, access into the topper from the rear is limited.

Method used

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Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0018] With reference to the figures, a truck topper 10 is shown for placement on the side walls 12 of the bed 14 of a pickup truck 16.

[0019] The topper has a front end 18, rear end 20, sides 22 and 24, and a top 26. The front end 18 has a front window 28 that aligns with the rear window (not shown) on the cab of the truck 16. The rear end 20 has a rear door 30 pivotally connected to the rear end 20, and a rear window 32 is disposed within the rear door 30.

[0020] Sides 22 and 24 have openings 34 and 36, which are covered by side doors 38 and 40 pivotally connected to the sides 22 and 24. Side doors 38 and 40 may have side windows 42, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0021] Vents 44 are positioned on opposite sides of the rear door 30 on the rear end 20. Vents (not shown) may also be placed in a similar manner on the front end 18 of the topper 10 to permit adequate ventilation.

[0022] A brake light 46 is positioned above the rear door 30 on the rear end 20. Rear end 20 also has a door stop asse...

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PUM

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Abstract

A truck topper having a front end, a rear end, a top, and sides for placement on the bed of a pickup truck, the topper having an opening in at least one of the sides of the topper and a shelving assembly disposed within the topper adjacent the opening, the shelving assembly secured to the top and side of the topper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to pickup trucks and, more specifically, an improved topper for providing cargo storage on a pickup truck. [0002] Truck toppers are well known in the art. While most toppers only provide a protective covering for the bed of a truck, such as that shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. D326,441 to Rogers, some toppers provide users with multiple compartments for storing tools and the like. One disadvantage of known truck toppers is that items stored inside the topper often are not accessible from the exterior of the truck. Rather, users often must enter the topper from the rear end to gain access to equipment or tools stored within. [0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,201 to Bateman discloses a topper having multiple bins for holding tools arranged around the inside perimeter of the truck bed. With the Bateman device, some of the storage bins are accessible from within the topper while several are only accessible from the exterior. Becaus...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): B62D33/04
CPCB62D33/04
Inventor THOLE, RANDY C.WOLF, ROBERT J.
Owner ASTORIA INDS OF IOWA